Wear properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy matrix hybrid composites made with Si-based refractory compounds (SBRC) derived from bamboo leaf ash (BLA) as complimentary reinforcement with alumina have been ...studied. The experimental result indicate that optimum wear loss was obtained at higher sliding speed. The wear rate of the composites increased with an increase in BLA wt. %, with the composites having 4%SBRC from BLA + 6% alumina (B4) showing the least wear loss for the different sliding speeds and wear loads considered. With increasing BLA weight percent, the composites' wear mechanism was mostly abrasive wear. Numerical optimization results using central composite design (CCD) reveal that at a wear load of 587.014N, sliding speed of 310.053 rpm and B4 hybrid filler composition level respectively, minimum responses in wear rate (0.572mm
/min), specific wear rate (0.212cm
/g.cm
) and wear loss (0.120 g) would be obtained for the developed AA6063 based hybrid composite. Perturbation plots indicate that the sliding speed have more impact on wear loss, while wear load have significant impact on the wear rate and specific wear rate.
Abstract
Stir casting is a common metallurgical route in the casting of aluminum composites. Series of work done in this aspect considered the development of the composites with fixed stir casting ...parameters without applying an optimization approach. These parameters affect the microstructure and performance of the composites. The study is focused on the optimization of the stir casting parameters in the production of Al 7075 reinforced with TiO
2
microparticles for performance improvement. Three stir casting parameters of stirring temperature, speed, and time were varied and optimized using the central composite design technique of the response surface method. Properties evaluated were ultimate tensile strength, hardness, impact strength, elastic modulus, and compressive strength. ANOVA results showed that the three stir casting parameters had a significant impact on the property responses. Five quadratic models were established for the properties linking them to the factors. The models were confirmed to be statistically significant at a confidence level of 95% and variations were observed to be < 5%. The interaction profile of the parameters as per response surface was analyzed. Contour plots associated with each interaction gave different ranges of stirring parameters in which each property can be maximized. Simultaneous optimization of the properties using Minitab 19 software showcased 779.3 °C, 574.2 rpm, and 22.5 min as the optimal stir casting parameters for temperature, speed and time respectively.
•Models and process maps for the property responses of Al 7075-molybdenum composite were reported.•The developed regression models were validated to fit for the prediction of the property ...response.•The process maps show varying combination of the process parameters.
The need for high strength and high-temperature performance Al 7075 is on the rise. Moreso, the process map and model for such a process is necessary. Present report involved the design of a process map for property optimization/minimization in the development of Al-7075 composite infused with thermally stable molybdenum (Mo) particles. Mo particles were varied at 5, 10, and 15 wt% while sintering temperature was varied at 350, 450, and 550 °C. Properties evaluated are porosity, sintered density, hardness, yield strength, elongation, elastic modulus, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. The obtained process maps showed varying proportions in minimizing/maximizing each response property. The developed models for each property response were validated to be fit in predicting the responses.
The additive manufacturing technique of material extrusion has challenge of excessive process defects and not achieving the desired mechanical properties. The industry is trying to develop ...certification to better control variations in mechanical attributes. The current study is a progress towards understanding the evolution of processing defects and the correlation of mechanical behavior with the process parameters. Modeling of the 3D printing process parameters such as layer thickness, printing speed, and printing temperature is carried out through L27 orthogonal array using Taguchi approach. In addition, CRITIC embedded WASPAS is adopted to optimize the parts' mechanical attributes and overcome the defects. Flexural and tensile poly-lactic acid specimens are printed according to ASTM standards D790 and D638, respectively, and thoroughly analyzed based on the surface morphological analysis to characterize defects. The parametric significance analysis is carried out to explore process science where the layer thickness, print speed, and temperature significantly control the quality and strength of the parts. Mathematical optimization results based on composite desirability show that layer thickness of 0.1 mm, printing speed of 60 mm/s, and printing temperature of 200 °C produce significantly desirable results. The validation experiments yielded the maximum flexural strength of 78.52 MPa, the maximum ultimate tensile strength of 45.52 MPa, and maximum impact strength of 6.21 kJ/m
. It is established that multiple fused layers restricted the propagation of cracks with minimum thickness due to enhanced diffusion between the layers.
The disposal of chicken feather through burning or burying is not environmentally compliant due to the accompanying release of greenhouse gas and underground water contamination. Thus, the ...transformation of this bio-waste into a bio-composite film is considered not only a sustainable strategy for disposal of this solid wastes but also an attractive alternative to developing an efficient nanostructured biomaterial from renewable bio resource. In the present study keratin extracted from chicken feather waste in combination with ginger starch were fabricated into a bio-composite film. The fabricated bio-composite films were characterized, using different analytical techniques. The physicochemical characteristics of ginger starch showed a moisture content of 33.8%, pH of 6.21, amylose and amylopectin contents of 39.1% and 60.9%, respectively. The hydration capacity of the starch was 132.2% while its gelatinization temperature was 65.7 °C. Physical attributes of the bio-composite film, such as surface smoothness and tensile strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing keratin content, while its transparency and solubility showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease with increasing keratin level. The various blends of the bio-composite films decayed by over 50% of the original mass after 12 days of complete burial in soil. Based on the results obtained in this study, the addition of keratin to starch bio-composite showed remarkable improvement in mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and surface smoothness. The bio-composite film exhibited appropriate stability in water, although future study should be carried out to evaluate its thermal stability. Nonetheless, the fabricated keratin-starch bio-composite showed desirable characteristics that could be optimized for industrial applications.
Bamboo fibers (BF) treated in 1.3 Molar NaOH and particulate coconut shell (PCS) sieved to - 45 µm were incorporated into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix towards improving the properties of PVC ...composite for ceiling boards and insulating pipes which sags and degrade with time needing improvement in properties. The process was carried out via compression moulding applying 0.2 kPa pressure and carried out at a temperature of 170 °C. Composites developed were grouped according to their composition. Groups A, B, C, and D were infused with 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% PCS at constant amount, respectively. Each group was intermixed with a varying proportions of BF (0-30 wt% at 5% interval). Tests carried out on the samples produced revealed that the yield strength, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, modulus of rupture were enhanced with increasing BF proportion from 0 to 30 wt% BF at 2 wt% constant PCS input. Thermal and electrical properties trended downward as the fiber content reduced even as the hardness was enhanced with PCS/BF intermix which was also reflected in the wear loss index. Impact strength was highest on the infix of 4 wt% PCS and 15 wt% BF. Compressive strength was better boasted with increasing fiber and PCS amount but 8 wt% PCS amounted to depreciation in trend. It was generally observed that PCS performed optimally at 2 wt% incorporation while beyond that resulted in lowering of strength. Blending of the two variable inputs; 0-30 wt% BF and 2 wt% PCS presented better enhancement in properties.
The concept of this paper was to explore the comparative advantage of polymer composite in the formation of a critical part of electrodes, separators, and electrolytes. These parts largely determine ...the overall performance of new evolving supercapacitors (SC) as against many other existing storage devices. Polymer materials are reputed for their low weight and life-cycle flexibility which makes supercapacitors unique in their functions. In this paper, application and classification of SCs were undertaken to take into consideration the peculiarities of polymer composite suitable for each class of SCs identified in this work. Part of the rationale of this review paper was to bridge the existing gap identified in many storage devices using salient properties inherent in light-weight materials. This paper also discussed the potential threats to SCs, which require further research works. It is expected that this paper would assist other researchers in evolving SCs devoid of low cell voltages, lower energy density, and reduction of production cost.
Towards developing a polymeric matrix characterized by high strength to cost ratio, polypropylene (PP) was hybridized with low-cost particulate snail shell (PSS) and kenaf fiber (KF) via compression ...moulding at 180 °C and 0.2 MPa. The developed composites were grouped into three and labeled as mix 2, 4, and 10. Each group entailed the blend of 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% KF with 2, 4, 10 wt% PSS respectively. From the results, it is observed that the hardness value was enhanced by the blend of 5 to 30 wt% KF and 2, 4, and 10 wt% PSS. However, 2 wt% PSS mix with 5 to 30 wt% KF resulted in progressive improvement in impact, compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths values. The 4 wt% PSS yielded consecutive increase in impact, compressive and flexural strength when combined with 5 and 10 wt% KF. However, it was observed that subsequent addition of 20 and 30 wt% KF led to a marginal reduction in the strength values. The tensile strength attained optimum value when 4 wt% PSS was commixed with 30 wt% KF. Conversely, the combinations of 10 wt% PSS with 5, 10, 20, and 30 wt% KF had no significant improvement to the mechanical properties of PSS/KF-bio-PP composite (except for hardness) siring strength decrease. Taguchi optimization revealed that the collage of 4 wt% PSS and 10 wt% KF presented optimum mix for hybrid bio-PP composite.
Display omitted
•The resin in glass wool waste could be gradually eliminated by thermal treatment from 200 to 550 °C.•The resin affected the milling efficiency, rheology, heat of reaction and ...strength development.•Curing at 40 °C was beneficial for strength development in comparison to 20 and 60 °C.•The 28-days compressive strength was less affected by the presence of the resin.•The incorporation of suitable co-binders would increase the materials‘ stability.
This study investigated the effect of organic resin contained in glass wool on synthesis of alkali-activated binders. The study was performed on glass wool containing sugar or phenolic resin, comparing it with glass wool that did not contain resin, as a reference. The results showed that the organic resin could be qualitatively identified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermo gravimetry-mass spectrometer (TG-MS), with gradual decomposition occurring between 200 °C and 550 °C. The presence of organic resin reduced the milling efficiency of glass wool, modified the rheology by increasing the liquid demand, and slowed the strength development at room temperature. However, interestingly, the effect of the resin on the strength of the paste was less obvious at an age of 28 days. Curing for 24 h at 40 °C was beneficial for one-day strength development, in comparison to 20 °C and 60 °C, independent of the presence of the resin. All the cured paste samples, with and without resin, achieved a compressive strength of more than 40 MPa at 28 days, satisfying the requirement for many structural applications. Nevertheless, water immersion affected the materials’ strength, suggesting their suitability for dry environments or the need for suitable co-binders to increase their durability and water resistance.
This research aims to fabricate an AlSi10Mg parts using Laser Powder Bed Fusion technique with enhanced structural integrity. The prime novelty of this research work is eliminating the balling and ...sparring effects, keyhole and cavity formation by attaining effective melt pool formation. Modelling of the Laser Powder Bed Fusion process parameters such as Laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness and hatch spacing is carried out through Complex Proportional Assessment technique to optimize the parts' surface attributes and to overcome the defects based on the output responses such as surface roughness on scanning and building side, hardness and porosity. The laser power of 350 W, layer thickness of 30 µm, scan speed of 1133 mm/s, and hatch spacing of 0.1 mm produces significantly desirable results to achieve maximum hardness and minimum surface roughness and holding the porosity of < 1%. The obtained optimal setting from this research improves the structural integrity of the printed AlSi10Mg parts.